That "retainer" is only to keep the bolt from spinning. It does not prevent the bolt from sliding out.
Worst case scenario is that your bearings have been seized long enough that they have worn a groove in the bolt and that is preventing it from coming out.
I had an '84 XR500R like that and had to cut the whole swingarm off and replace it. Hopefully yours is not that far gone.
Remove anything that could be putting force on the swingarm. Linkage, rear wheel, rear engine mounts, etc.. Lay the bike on it's right side, support the back side of the swingarm and frame, protect the threaded end of the pivot bolt, and start pounding with a BFH.
Best of luck to you.
If/when you get it off, lube the new parts with Jet Lube paste to prevent this from happening again and re-apply yearly.
Since my nightmare with the XR swingarm I won't buy a used bike without making sure the pivot bolt will slide.
It's an often-neglected maintenance item.
Last edited by Brian VT; 07-26-2017 at 07:41 AM.
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